Women flunk drug court, get prison terms

Published
12:00 am CDT, Friday, August 24, 2012

EDWARDSVILLE - Two women with prior criminal histories have been sentenced to prison after both of them violated the conditions of drug court, also known as Madison County Assessment and Alternative Court.

The program provides defendants an opportunity to complete treatment and other requirements and have non-violent criminal charges dismissed, or provides treatment for people on probation who are ordered to undergo treatment but who may avoid prison time if they complete drug court. People on probation still would have the charges on their records, even if they complete the program.

Amanda G. Salvador, 22, who went on a crime spree in the summer of 2011 in Alton and Wood River, was sentenced Wednesday in Madison County Circuit Court to three years in prison after a judge found that she tested positive for drugs, failed to appear for scheduled appointments, failed to attend treatment and had contact with other drug court participants.

She originally was charged with unlawful use of a credit card June 18, 2011, in Alton, a June 23, 2011, robbery in Alton, and two counts of possession of a stolen vehicle on Aug. 5 and Aug 9, 2011, in Wood River.

She pleaded guilty to one count of the stolen vehicle charges and the credit card charge, was placed on probation and ordered to attend drug court.

When charged in Madison County, she was wanted in St. Louis for possession of a controlled substance. She was ordered to attend drug court in Missouri but later was returned to Madison County drug court after being released from the Missouri program.

While attending drug court in Madison County, she failed to appear for the Sheriff's Work Alternative Program, among other violations of her probation conditions.

Circuit Judge Richard Tognarelli sentenced Salvador on Wednesday. He was the drug court judge when Salvador initially was ordered to go through the program.

Also on Wednesday, Associate Judge Kyle Napp sentenced Amanda M. Kuegler, 28, of Highland to three years in prison on charges of unlawful possession of methamphetamine materials.

Kuegler originally was charged in December 2009 with two counts of aggravated unlawful participation in methamphetamine manufacturing, unlawful possession of methamphetamine manufacturing materials and unlawful possession of methamphetamine precursor.

She was ordered to drug court in 2009, but was charged in 2010 and 2011 with driving under the influence. She also was convicted in 2005 of criminal trespass to a residence and driving under the influence of alcohol in 2008.

While in drug court, probation officers said she tested positive for drugs or alcohol, missed appointments and was making contact with other drug court participants.